Appetizers

This was supposed to be a simple batch of caramel popcorn. I had the brown sugar measured, the butter softening on the counter, and a … Read more

Someone asked me last week why I always volunteer to bring the appetizer to parties. And I mean, I had to stop and think about … Read more

I was standing in the frozen food aisle last Saturday morning, half-listening to my phone buzz with texts from friends about the big game later … Read more

The power went out halfway through the second quarter. I remember because I was staring at a half-assembled mess on my kitchen counter—slices of salami … Read more

I’d stopped by my neighbor’s garage last fall to borrow a socket wrench, and the smell hit me before I even got past the toolbox. … Read more

This was supposed to be a slow cooker chili. I had the beans soaking, the ground beef browning, and I was feeling pretty smug about … Read more

I was shredding zucchini in my tiny apartment kitchen last Tuesday when the smell of summer squash hit me — and suddenly I was seven … Read more

The neighborhood block party was in four hours and I’d completely forgotten. I mean, completely. I was standing in my kitchen at 2 PM on … Read more

There used to be a tiny Italian deli on the corner of 4th and Main in my hometown that made the most incredible zucchini fritters. … Read more

This was supposed to be a quick bruschetta for a lazy Sunday brunch. I grabbed the cherry tomatoes, the olive oil bottle was almost empty, … Read more